The Hammers, like they have all year long, made things interesting, but couldn't make the key plays when they needed to as the Raiders came away with a 65-59 victory before an announced crowd of 2,054 at the Von Braun Center.

"This is frustrating," said Hammers wide receiver Mico McSwain, who finished with eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. "Close isn't good enough. There's nobody better than us in this league. We're messing up. Everybody has to be accountable for themselves."

The loss dropped Alabama to 2-6 on the season. It was the Hammers' fourth loss by 10 points or less, including three in a row. Richmond, who is now 2-0 against Alabama this season, improved to 6-2.

The Hammers got off to a good start, scoring on their first three possessions to take a 21-13 lead early in the second quarter, but the Raiders scored 17 unanswered points [- including a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown by Maurice Thorne off of Alabama quarterback Arvell Nelson with 53 seconds left in the first half [- to go up 30-21.

"Right before halftime we give up a big play every week," linebacker Darian Payne said. "That has happened five straight games and it has cost us."

Hammers coach Marty Hammond agreed.

"That hurts when you give up one of those," Hammond said. "Sometimes you can get over a pick with a defensive stop, but not a pick six. It's an offensive game and we've got to be efficient and we haven't been that all year."

Down by as many as 20 points on two different occasions in the fourth quarter, the Hammers fought back.

Nelson found McSwain with a 32-yard touchdown pass with 2:40 remaining to pull Alabama within 58-52 and after Richmond scored to go back up 65-52, Nelson found Charles McClain with an 8-yard touchdown pass to make it 65-59 with 16 seconds left, but the Raiders were able to run out the clock for the victory.

"Our guys kept fighting," Hammond said. "We just ran out of time. We've got to get over the hump and start winning some of these games if we want to make the playoffs."

Nelson finished 14-of-24 for 241 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns. McClain had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a touchdown.

Richmond quarterback Antwon Young accounted for seven touchdowns. He was 24-of-46 for 289 yards and seven touchdownns and ran for two more. Hakim Moore had 12 catches for 171 yards and five touchdowns.